Recently, I went to see the new movie, “Black Nativity.” It was a great film and a refreshing approach to the Christmas story.I especially appreciated the movie’s message about love, reconciliation, forgiveness and the importance of family!

I was moved to tears as the film laid out the story line of a single mother who feels she is alone and unable to care for her son as they are facing eviction; and believes her only recourse is to send her son to live with his grandparents.

I remember being that single parent, facing tough financial times and not having the resources to take care of the bills and my baby. So, I sent my son to live with his grandmother in Santa Maria, CA.

As I watched the film, I felt the resurgence of the same grief expressed in the film. Feelings of failure, frustration and alone weighed heavy on my heart. After several weeks, a close friend said to me, following a conversation about trusting God, “Girl, go get that baby!”

So, I put my trust in the Lord and went to pick-up my son. Later, things began to turn around. I had to take my focus off what I didn’t have and focus on the promise of the Lord that He would never, “leave me nor forsake me!”

Oddly, at a time of the year when we should be rejoicing over Immanuel, many are suffering from depression, sadness, brokenness, uncertainty, aloneness and so much more.The power of the Advent message is that through the precious baby boy, Jesus, we have the assurance of Him prevailing, even in times of doubt.

We are not alone in this big world that is often unkind to the most vulnerable and can be difficult to manage in our own strength. The Advent message is to turn us back toward Immanuel, to affirm that God is with us! (and for us).

The Advent message also presents an opportunity, where it is possible, for each of us to give one another authentic love, begin to forgive, and make efforts toward reconciling important relationships that may be broken.